Oakland Athletics catcher Carlos Perez became a free agent on Monday when he declined an outright assignment to Triple-A Las Vegas. Perez will now look for a new organization on the free-agent market this winter. The 32-year-old veteran Venezuelan backstop appeared in 66 games in the big leagues for the A's in 2023 for the first time since 2018, when he played in 28 games with the Atlanta Braves and Texas Rangers. In his 66 contests with Oakland this year, Perez slashed .226/.293/.357 with a career-high six home runs, four doubles, 20 RBI and 17 runs scored in 189 plate appearances. In five big-league campaigns, Perez has hit .218 (171-for-786) with 17 homers and 78 RBI in 278 career games.

Oakland Athletics catcher Carlos Perez (thumb), who was placed on the 10-day injured list with a fractured left thumb (retroactive to July 2), will have his thumb re-evaluated by a doctor sometime this week. If he's cleared, Perez will then begin strengthening activities. The 32-year-old has been out of action since the Fourth of July, but he was able to avoid surgery and should be able to return to the A's in the second half of the season. In 47 games for the A's this year before his injury, Perez was hitting .232 (29-for-125) with five home runs, four doubles, 17 RBI and 12 runs scored in 140 trips to the plate. With Manny Pina (wrist) also currently on the injured list, the A's are currently running with Shea Langeliers and top prospect Tyler Soderstrom at catcher.

Braves optioned LHP Carlos Perez and RHP Wirfin Obispo to Triple-A Gwinnett; reassigned RHPs Shae Simmons and Lay Batista to minor league camp.

None of the cuts are surprising. Perez was excellent in the minors last season in his first full season as a reliever, but he's yet to pitch above A-ball and needs more seasoning.